Synonyms

Vernacular names

Dune poison bush, wintersweet (En).

Origin and geographic distribution

Acokanthera oblongifolia occurs in southern Mozambique and eastern South Africa.

Uses

Acokanthera oblongifolia is used medicinally to treat snakebites and as an emetic. To treat snakebites, a small amount of the leaves is eaten, a leaf decoction is drunk and the leaf pulp is rubbed into the wound, root powder is sniffed and roots or leaves are put on the swollen part as a dressing. Root scrapings are rubbed into the skin against itch. A wood or leaf decoction is drunk or administered as an enema as a cure for internal worms, and to combat evil spirits. The fruit is highly toxic, especially when unripe, but the ripe fruits have also caused fatalities in children. The stem bark and root bark are used as a potent arrow poison, for homicide, suicide and to kill stray dogs.

Properties

Numerous cardenolides were detected in the wood, leaves, seeds and fruit, the most important being acovenosides A and B, which both have cardio-vascular properties. Other cardenolides that were isolated are acovenoside C, spectabiline and acopieroside II. The last compound shows a higher activity than digitalin and digoxin as a cardiotonic. The seeds yielded acobioside A and 14-O-acetyl-acovenoside C; the latter showed marked cardiotonic activity in dogs.

Ecology

Genetic resources

There are no indications that Acokanthera oblongifolia is at risk of genetic erosion.

Prospects

The cardenolides isolated from Acokanthera oblongifolia are highly poisonous. Most of them have not been pharmacologically investigated, and more research is needed to evaluate the possible prospects of the various compounds. Acokanthera oblongifolia is easy to propagate, like the other Acokanthera species, and it would be a beautiful ornamental in gardens. However, this is not recommended because of its toxicity.